Calendar

Apr
29
Sat
FoD Downhill Practice @ Pedalabikeaway
Apr 29 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
FoD Downhill Practice @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom

This is the day before the first Root1 race at Tidworth and that will be closed off, so I’m off to FoD to session some downhill tracks as a bit of final practice.

The plan is to push up and start with Ski Run, followed by some others that offer a bit of rooty corner practice 😊

All are welcome, but bear in mind the level of the tracks will be riding, which are basically Black+, so you will need to be experienced.

Meet outside Pedalabikeaway Café at 10.30am

Ladies Day at FoD @ Pedalabikeaway
Apr 29 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Ladies Day at FoD @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom

The Forest of Dean is one of my favourite places to ride, as not only does it have some of the best trails to be found, but it also has the warmest of welcomes and the best atmosphere that I’ve been too.
If you’ve been before you’ll know that already, so here’s another chance for you to go and if you haven’t been, you need to!!! And here’s your chance.
Join me on the trails for some shredding fun!! Everyone is welcome and the trails provide something for all abilities.
If you are new to mountain biking this is the perfect opportunity to see how much fun it can be! 🚴‍♀️

Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway cafe at 10.30am

Jul
9
Sun
Cwmcarn if you can @ PS Cycles, Cwmcarn
Jul 9 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cwmcarn if you can @ PS Cycles, Cwmcarn  | Wales | United Kingdom

Time for another visit to Cwmcarn.

This is a great Welsh trail centre, with 2 XC trails and some downhill tracks, with uplift available.

The main ride is 10am on Sunday, but we’ll be there the whole weekend if you want to join in on Saturday too.

Plan is to camp over Saturday nigh, ready to do the main day ride on the Sunday.

We will meet at 10am at PS Cycles on the Sunday for the main ride.

Aug
6
Sun
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway
Aug 6 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
FoD for All (Happy Andy Day) @ Pedalabikeaway | England | United Kingdom
One year on from a cracking (if eventful!) trip to the Forest of Dean, we’re going back again 🙂
 
This is a general day with several ride leaders, with options for everyone.
 
We will do at least one lap of Verderers, check out the skills area and at least a run down Lauchpad, with some other DH runs if people want too.
 
Davinia will be leading a ladies group too and we will do some skills practice on the great facilities at Cannop.
 
Meet outside the Pedalabikeaway Cafe at 10.30am
 
Helmets are a must (if Andy’s coming he’ll show you why!)
Nov
4
Sat
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean
Nov 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
FoD Family Ride @ Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean | England | United Kingdom
We’re going to do something a bit different for the next family ride – an away day of sorts.
 
Just down the road from Pedalabikeaway in the Forest of Dean, is Beechenhurst, the activity & picnic centre with a child’s playground and sculpture trail amongst other things.
 
So we will park/start at Beechenhurst and pick up the Green family trail (which is on former railyway lines, so nice & flat), out to the Cannop ponds, looping back to Pedalabikeaway for a go on the family skills loop and pump track (& visit to the cafe), before returning to Beechenhurst.
 
Total route is 5 miles, but with the option for as many loops of the pump track as desired – it always seems to be the kids’ favourite!
 
The ride will be lead by our Welfare officer, Davinia, who is also a British Cycling qualified ride leader and Breeze champion.
 
Whilst on the ride your children must be accompanied and are your responsibility at all times.
 
Meet out the front of the Beechenhurst lodge at 11am.
Jan
10
Wed
SMTBE AGM @ The Plough, Wanborough
Jan 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
SMTBE AGM @ The Plough, Wanborough | Wanborough | England | United Kingdom

We are holding our AGM on Wednesday 10th January at 7pm at The Plough in Wanborough.

This is your chance to have your say on the running of the club, vote for committee members, see the club’s finances and for the committee to show you our plans for 2018. We have what we think are some good ideas that we would like feedback on, but would also love any ideas you have. Don’t hold back – we might not be able to do everything straight away, but as long as we know, we can start to plan. 
 
Non-members are welcome to the meeting, but only members get a vote. 
 
If you can’t make it to the meeting, but have an idea you would like to share, please email us at ideas@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk 
 
 
 
Look forward to seeing you there! 
Dec
28
Fri
Xmas Motivator @ The Three Trees Cafe
Dec 28 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
We haven’t done a midweek motivator ride for ages, so, this isn’t one either!
But it’s close – a fairly short XC ride to release those endorphins and get you from Christmas to New Year.
 
Starting and ending at the Three Trees Cafe, we’ll head out on the Ridgeway, up the gentler climbs to the top of Barbury Castle. Then over the top, down Smeathes Ridge, back along Smeathe’s Bottom and back home via Gypsy Lane and the old railway line.
Nothing too taxing – 19km and 195m of climbing, a couple of fun descents in there too. 
 
You’ll need a helmet and appropriate clothing for the weather.
 
We’ll set off from Three Trees at 9.30am
Jan
6
Sun
White-Horsing Around Scenic Ride @ Foxhill Car Park
Jan 6 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
The first of my scenic rides for 2019 will be a round trip along the Ridgeway to the Uffington White Horse and back.
 
Along the way we’ll take in the stunning descent through the Hinton Parva coombes, a beautiful climb (honest!) from Bishopstone to the Ridgeway and the delights of Weathercock Hill.
We’ll be taking it easy to appreciate the scenery, covering about 27km in distance and 400m of climbing.
 
Meet at the Foxhill car park, just past The Ruji Restaurant.
 
You must bring a helmet and appropriate clothing, as well as snacks/food for the duration, as we will be out past lunchtime.
Jan
19
Sat
Saturday Scenic Broad Hinton @ Bottom of Barbury Castle
Jan 19 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

I’ve found time to squeeze in another weekend Scenic ride in January, going in a different direction along the Ridgeway.

The start is at the bottom of the Barbury steep side (see map posting) setting off along the Ridgeway away from Barbury to Broad Hinton. From there we amble along the valley and a potential pub stop. Then the climb back up to the Ridgeway and the White Horse trail to Rockley. Then it’s back along the valley and up onto the ridge back to the start.

The ride will be 27km in length with 350m of climbing and some beautiful scenery.

Please see map for the start point, although you can also park at Barbury and cycle down to there if you want.

You must wear a helmet and dressed according to the conditions – it’s pretty cold out there still!

Feb
15
Fri
@ The Tawny Owl
Feb 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
 @ The Tawny Owl
This year’s AGM will be held at the Tawny Owl at 7pm . To discuss items on the agenda from the club accounts, voting on election of the committee and future plans.
It is open to members and non-members, but only members will be able to vote, so please make sure you have an up to date membership.
If you wish to have any comments to raise on the night, we will have a slot for it, but for smooth running of the evening, if you wish to put forward suggestions prior to AGM or you cannot attend, please PM or email Andrew@swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk